More than 300 former, retired and current members of the 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, gathered for an inaugural alumni dinner.

The evening featured several special ceremonies, including the Colmar Sword Ceremony, which represents the capture of Colmar, France, during World War II, as well as recognition for the fallen soldiers of the regiment.

First Sgt. Francis Ross, 95, a native of Carbondale, was honored as the distinguished alumnus of the event and served as keynote speaker. Sgt. Ross served in WWII with the 70th Tank Battalion under Gen. George Patton's Third Army, one of the most decorated units of that war. His awards include the Silver Star with Gallantry and the French Legion of Merit.

Stars in stripes

Navy Seaman Apprentice Tyler W. Patrick, son of Laura M. Scholla of Georgia and Henry Patrick of Scranton was promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Seaman Apprentice Patrick received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle. ... Sgt. Stephannie Richards, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 55th Brigade, Pennsylvania National Guard, a resident of New Milford, was recognized by Tobyhanna Army Depot as the Warfighter of the Quarter Award during a ceremony at a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' hockey game. The 10th award recipient, Sgt. Richards, was honored for her years of distinguished service, including deployment to Iraq from 2008 to 2010. Her accomplishments included maintaining various intelligence bases while working with coalition allies to analyze intelligence and information for accuracy that aided superiors in making timely and accurate strategic decisions. Depot commander Col. Charles Gibson presented the award.

High notes

The Civil Air Patrol's Wayne Composite Squadron 201 promoted 11 cadets at its March meeting, the largest single promotion ceremony in the Squadron's five-year history. Promoted from Cadet Basic to Cadet Airman were Dylan McConnell of Greenfield Twp., Michael McCormick of Scranton, Douglas Teeters of Falls and Anthony Wilcox of Forest City. Brian Propst II of Greenfield Twp. was promoted from cadet airman to cadet airman 1st class. Promoted from cadet Airman 1st class to cadet senior airman were Kyle Drost of Scott Twp., Anthony Galli of Wapwallopen, Nicholas Humphreys of Scott Twp., and Deseree Spaide of Wapwallopen. Promoted from cadet senior airman to cadet staff sergeant were Richard Molner Jr. of Roaring Brook Twp., and Michael Pope III of Old Forge. Senior Member Daniel King of Scranton was promoted to second lieutenant.

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